According to the old folks, Bagan Serai got its name from immigrants who came to Tanah Melayu. Before the arrival of English colonial, immigrants from Indonesia flock to the district of Kerian. They travel through the west coast and stop at Kuala Kurau beach. From there the immigrant travel along Sungai Kurau looking for a suitable place to rest. They then found groves of lemon grass planted by the river bank. From there the idea to name the place Bagan Serai came to mind.